The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1887-07-03
The Blue and Gray Reunion.

GETTYSBURG, Pa, July 2-Gettysturg
presents gay and animated scene tonight
The houses are decorated with flags, ever.
green's and bunting The streers are bril-
liantly Illuminated and thronged with
thousands Of people. During the day Wis
itors arrived on all the trains, and when
the Philadelphia brigade arrived at six
o'clock with two thousand more. the no.
tells and boarding houses overhowed, and
quarters were as hard to find as they were
twenty-four years ago tonight. At eight
O'Clock Mrs. Gen. Pickett arrived accom-
panied by her son, and was immedi-
ately driven to the Springs Hotel. After
securing quarters the Philadelphia Brigade,
escorted by the Grand Army band Of Gettys-
burg marched to the Harrisburg depot to
receive their G nests. At 1856 a ringing
cheer from the Philadelphia Brigade,
promptly and heartily answered by the
well known Rebel yen announced that the
visitors had arrived and two hundred of
Pickett's Veterans marched out aud sur
rendered themselves TO the hospitality Of
their friends. AS the procession moved
along ChamberSburgh street to the public
square cheers and applause greeted it at
every step. The Confederates, who were
armed with rockets, discharged them as
they marched along proudly bearing the
stars and stripes in their midst, the only
flag in line, and responded heartily to the
greetings, with their peculiar hs t ie yell, so
well known here, to the great delight OF the
assembled crowds. When the procession
reached Centre Square the Union and
Confederate lines were drawn up facing
each other. The Confederates stepped
forwatd, saying, ''Here we are once more
together. Let us shake hands. Let US
trade coffee" The bands played "Way
Down South in Dixie Fire works lit up
the sky, and all the people cheered. At
8 35 the procession moved to the Court
House, where camp fire was held. The
doors We're thrown open and the band en-
tered, followed by Picketts men. They
proceeded to the front and seated them
selves in chairs. In a few minutes the
building was filled and standing room was
unable to be obtained When all was
ready, General Burns assisted Mrs. General
Pickett to the stand, and amid tremendous
cheers, which shook the building, intro
duced her and her son to the audience
She was visibly affected, and with difficulty
restrained her tears. Whenever Gener i
Picketts name was mentioned the cheering
was tremendous. When Colonel Ayelett,
becoming excited and branching off some
what from bis prepared Grafton, mentioned
the Il lg Of the UAion, the whole audience
arose aud shouted itself hoarse. As soon
as the Presidents letter was read, General
Burns jumped up and proposed three cheers
for the President of the United States.
These were given standing and with
telling effect. After the reading Of Gen.
Sherman's letter,W. S. Stockton arose and
presented Burgess Upton, who, in very
few words welcomed them and extended
the hospitality OF the place. Col. Sanes
then asded that the town people and Phil
adelphia Brigade withdraw, and they then
would sssign Pickett's men to their quar-
tiers. Thus the first campfire ever held
between the Blue and the Gray was over.